I think most people can say that they developed their fair share of hobbies over quarantine. With too much time on my hands, I was looking to develop a new skill set myself. I’ve always been curious about that app with the little guitar on it: GarageBand.
GarageBand is pre-downloaded on every iOS device, which is every Apple product. Here you can create, record and share music. You can also plug your instruments into your device using the proper adapter and record what you play. Or you can make a song using the free loops that the app provides. I like to layer the loops, write lyrics to them, and record vocals on top. It’s super user-friendly and easy to pick up. If you are struggling to get started, there are plenty of YouTube tutorials that can get you where you want to be.
With some research, I discovered GarageBand can be a powerful production tool. Rihanna’s hit song “Umbrella” includes a GarageBand drum loop called Vintage Funk Kit 03. Steve Lacy and Grimes are other popular artists that have created many songs using this free app.
I’ve been using GarageBand to make my own songs for a year now. The app makes it super easy to download your songs as an mp3 and share them with other platforms. On MacBook, you can even share directly to SoundCloud. I feel like only a few select people or professional musicians would have had access to this sort of software in the past. Now, it is accessible to everyone.
I made all the songs above using only GarageBand (and my ukulele) as a complete beginner. Thanks to the simple controls, I could pick up song-making pretty quickly. Keep in mind, I was a complete noob when it came to music. I still have very little knowledge of music theory. That’s why I was so discouraged from making music in the first place. I thought I wasn’t good enough, smart enough, or creative enough to do something like making original music. Maybe you’ve had some of the same thoughts. Am I the next Beyonce? No. But have I had a lot of fun playing with music? Absolutely.
I did not know that creating music would become such a passion of mine, but GarageBand has made it so easy for me to get started. Music has become a creative outlet for me to express myself. It has helped me cope during challenging times. I turned my pain and heartbreak into music, making an ugly situation beautiful. I didn’t think I had the talent or the resources to make music of my own, but I really surprised myself. All Apple users should give GarageBand a chance because music-making could be your secret passion too. The best part? It’s right at your fingertips.
Feel free to check out this reference I used for more information!